Victoria is a bilingual and bicultural (Spanish-speaking) Board Certified Art Therapist and Trauma Therapist in Nashville, Tennessee. She completed her Master’s degree in Art Therapy from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
Her background in trauma and passion for the creative arts provides her clients with a supportive space that emphasizes the natural healing elements of art with embodied evidence based therapies.
WHY WORK WITH VICTORIA:
Victoria has worked with children, adolescents, adults, couples and families across a variety of diverse settings including various community mental health organizations, a psychiatric hospital, a traumatic brain injury rehabilitation center, and within the Chicago Public School system. Her work with survivors of sexual assault at a trauma center in Chicago, IL deepened her passion for prevention and empowering survivors of sexual violence.
She recognizes the significance of connecting in a safe and affirming therapy space. She will hold space with you for you to lead an authentically abundant life.
You cant help but smile when you are with Victoria and experience her fun and warm energy! She has a true passion for this work and is excited for her client’s healing process. I think it’s important for therapists to be continual learners. Client’s can feel confident that Victoria is always learning and growing, giving them the best care possible. I’m grateful to have her on our team!
-Melanie Reese, Owner TTN
VICTORIA’S APPROACH:
Victoria believes no single therapeutic approach can treat all of human experience. She also believes that the basis of all trauma-informed treatment must involve working in the present moment, and utilizing approaches that are both relational and body-centered.
Working in a body-centered approach requires challenging the racism, misogyny, fatphobia, transphobia, ableism, and other forms of individual and systemic oppression present in society.
She focuses on integrating modalities such as mindfulness techniques, somatic awareness and holistic approaches to assist her clients in recovering the mind and body connection that is greatly impacted after trauma.
Victoria looks forward to creating a collaborative treatment plan with you that is specific to your needs for recovery.
Typical therapy modalities and interventions include:
- Art Therapy
- Brainspotting
- Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR)
- Internal Family Systems (IFS)
- Somatic Focused Therapy
- Mindfulness and Meditation
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT)
WHAT IS ART THERAPY?
Art therapy makes it possible to express what is difficult, and sometimes impossible, to communicate with words. Artwork made in session provides a tangible representation of your experiences that can be explored further through imagery and words. There is no “one size fits all” approach to therapy, and is truly a collaboration between the clinician and client.
WHAT MATERIALS WILL WE USE TOGETHER?
Materials used in session can vary depending on the clients imagination and specific needs. Victoria typically uses found objects, storytelling, poetry, drawing materials, watercolors, paint, sewing, puppets, and clay.
WHAT IF I’M NOT A GOOD ARTIST?
Regardless of artistic skills, everyone can benefit from art therapy. All sessions are tailored towards your needs and no formal artistic skill is required to participate. The purpose of making art in session is to create imagery that will communicate your thoughts, memories, and feelings rather than creating something that looks “good.”
EDUCATION & TRAININGS:
- Christopher Newport University, Bachelor of Arts in Communication
- School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Masters of Arts in Art Therapy
- Brainspotting Phase 1
- Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR)
- Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT)
- Sexual Assault and Rape Crisis Medical Advocate
- Intersex and Survivorship
FUN FACT:
Victoria recently moved to Nashville from Chicago with her partner Jordan. During her free time she enjoys being outside with her puppy, finding art galleries and art museums to explore, creating art work, listening to music, reading and spending time with her community of friends.
GETTING CONNECTED
Email our Client Care Coordinator at Admin@TraumaTherapyNashville.com for more information or to schedule a session with Victoria.